Israel, much like the fortress of Tel-Chai that Jospeh Trumpeldor fought to defend against Arab conquerors in 1920, finds itself beseiged by enemies both within and without. Terrorists, would-be friends inside and outside Israel, and even bad government officials. Here are the discussions of one proud Zionist resident on the state of the nation and abroad.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

MK Meir Porush says he wants a religious war

The next religious war in the Middle East, according to Torah Judaism MK Meir Porush, will not be between any of the religious factions bubbling about in Syria, Iraq, Jordan or Egypt, but between the Haredim and the rest of the secular establishment in Israel. That was the essence of the lawmaker's message to American Ambassador Dan Shapiro, his guest on Monday in Jerusalem, as reported by Kikar Hashabbat.

The get-together, initially planned as part of the ongoing, excellent relationship between Agudat Israel in Jerusalem and the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv, turned very quickly to the politics of the day, most notably the new draft legislation which is threatening to clear many benches in Haredi yeshivas across Israel.

[...] Ambassador Shapiro wanted to know how the Haredim felt about the new draft legislation. He emphasized that America does not get involved in the internal affairs of other countries (unless they involve Sarin gas, that is), but, nevertheless, the U.S. wants to see a strong Israel, both militarily and socially.

[...] MK Porush replied that for the Haredi public, this is nothing short of an existential issue. He added, poignantly: "When our rabbis sense that there's an attempt to alter our lifestyle, they'll declare a religious war."

"I recently told Jewish Home MKs," Porush added, "don't be tempted to test us, it could end up being a very tough fight. That's how I see my role these days, to deliver this message to everyone: Should there be a law here, which we would view as compulsive conscription, the rabbis would declare a religious war, a religious confrontation."

"I'm telling you and asking of you," MK Porush told the ambassador, "it's crucial that you report [to] the government in the United States, so it won't come as a surprise to you. If there will be a law that will compel yeshiva students, the rabbis will view this as an attempt to force an alternative lifestyle. This could cause serious shock waves in Israel."

And all because people like him want it, not us. Borrowing a page from the Islamists is what he's doing. How wonderful. And why must all this be told to the US government? Is he asking they intervene on the Haredis' behalf? Just what we don't need any more than the other awful things the Obama administration's already caused problems with.

MK Porush noted that "Israel is the only country where Jews are being killed for being Jews, and it will, apparently, become the only country in the world that doesn't permit Torah study to anyone wishing to sit and learn. This doesn't exist anywhere else in the world. Just as there isn't another place in the world where Jews are being killed for being Jews."

My jaw is dropping way off my face in disbelief. And this was during a conversation involving Syria! Jews were murdered for their race/religion in many parts of the globe, including many Muslim dominated countries, just as much as in the darkest reaches of Europe in the past, and he, in all his ambiguous blatancy, had the gall to deny it? This man needs help.

Ambassador Shapiro asked why Haredim view the draft as an existential threat, and Porush responded: "This is our path in life, which is why we've retained our clothing and our customs, the image of the Haredi Jew as it has been since we received the Torah on Mt. Sinai. We are the oldest nation, which has survived only because it tied itself to the Torah and behaves according to the Torah 24 hours a day. Among the things in the Torah is the commandment: Vehagita bo yomam valaila – study it day and night."

Okay, here's another part where he turns dishonest. Even after the Jews who left Egypt received the Ten Commandments (the Torah only came later after more experiences could be recorded), they did not instantly begin dressing in black suits and hats as he so ridiculously claims. His distortions are countered by history siteslike these, which show that, however ancient Jews dressed, they were a lot more flamboyant in style.

Poor Porush. Going to such lengths to justify the Haredis isolationist belief system. And the worst part is that he wants the US government to help them keep on with this useless charade.

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About me

I'm Avi Green

From Jerusalem, Israel

I was born in Pennsylvania in 1974, and moved to Israel in 1983. I also enjoyed reading a lot of comics when I was young, the first being Fantastic Four. I maintain a strong belief in the public's right to knowledge and accuracy in facts. I like to think of myself as a conservative-style version of Clark Kent. I don't expect to be perfect at the job, but I do my best.